MINNESOTA VALLEY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Over 14,000 acres of outdoor playground await you in Bloomington, a southwest suburb of Minneapolis. Enjoy navigating hiking and biking trails, and launch a canoe or kayak onto the river. The park is also a great spot for wintertime outdoor activities like cross-country skiing and snow shoeing (you can pick up a complimentary pair of snowshoes at the park’s visitor center). And don’t forget the myriad forms of wildlife you will get to witness: bald eagles, blue herons, deer and more.